US to Canada Power Adapter: What Plug Do I Need? (2025)

Known as the home of maple syrup and the infamous Niagara Falls, Canada is filled with diverse people and landscapes. Major cities Toronto and Vancouver have transformed into international hubs, bringing in people from around the world to live and visit. As you move outside the cities, Canada’s countryside boasts stunning lakes, mountains, and whale-watching along the coast.

As you would for any international trip, you must ensure your electronics will work with the outlet types in Canada. Below, you’ll find all the details on how to use the power outlets in Canada and whether you need a power adapter or voltage converter for your trip.

Which power outlets do they use in Canada?

Here is an actual photo of a Canada power outlet

Canada uses Type A and Type B power outlets. Type A and B electrical outlets are common throughout North, Central, and parts of South America. Type A sockets lay flush against the wall and have two thin slots to plug in your electric cord. Type B sockets look similar. The only difference is that Type B sockets have a third-prong opening at the bottom.

Canada power outlets have the same voltage and frequency as the sockets in the United States, with 120 Volts (V) and a standard frequency of 60 Hertz (Hz).

What kind of power adapter do I need for Canada?

Recommended Canada power adapter available on Amazon.com ➜

American travelers don’t need to bring a power adapter or voltage converter to Canada. However, traveling with a Universal Power Adapter allows you to charge more than one device at once and ensures you have both plug types that you’ll encounter in Canada.

The universal adapter will also be a practical accessory for future international trips. It works in more than 100 different countries and is backed by a lifetime replacement guarantee!

View on Amazon.com ➜

Other Canada Packing List Items

1. Neck Wallet

Traveling with a neck wallet will keep your important documents in your line of sight and away from pickpockets. The wallet is slim but has enough space to keep your passport book, credit cards, boarding pass, and more. You can wear the wallet around your neck as a lanyard or slung across your chest like a purse. It’s also the easiest way to stay organized on draining international travel days.

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2. Lipstick-Sized Portable Charger

Between navigating directions and looking up places to go in Canada, you’ll be using a lot of phone battery life while you’re traveling. The best way to keep your phone alive while you’re out sightseeing is by getting a mini portable charger. This lipstick-sized charger is small enough to fit in a handbag or pants pocket to bring on the go. Just remember to recharge the portable charger at the end of each day, so it’s ready for the next!

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3. Virtual Private Network (VPN)

Between hotels, airports, and museums, travelers rely on public Wi-Fi networks to connect to the Internet. Although convenient, hackers usually prey on these networks to try and steal your private information, like credit card numbers and passwords. I learned this when my credit card number was hacked and stolen from the Airbnb accommodation we chose, which we were certain was safe.

The best way to protect your privacy is to get a Virtual Private Network (VPN) before arriving in Canada. A VPN gives you an extra layer of encryption so it’s harder for hackers to find your information while you’re browsing on public Wi-Fi. It will also mitigate any regional censorship, so you’re not getting blocked every time you try to Google something, stream Netflix, or pull up a YouTube video!

View options at NordVPN.com

4. Waterproof Phone Pouch

Canada is surrounded by beautiful coastline and contains over 30,000 lakes (woah!). If you’re planning to engage in any water activities or just go to an area prone to rain, you can’t go wrong packing a waterproof phone case. It will ensure your lifeline survives the harsh elements (snow included) and even allows you to take great underwater videos!

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5. Quick-Dry Travel Towel

A travel towel has infinite uses for a plethora of locations. We use it in case our hotel or accommodation doesn’t provide towels (or they’re not as clean as we would prefer!) They also double as a picnic blanket, beach towel, sweat rag, seat cover, packing cushion, and any other use you can get creative with. Since they are 10x more absorbent than cotton, they’re better than lugging around big, fluffy hotel towels.

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6. Travel Insurance for Canada

You never know what situations might arise when you’re traveling out of the country. Although you may have health insurance, most domestic plans do not cover you internationally or in various travel situations.

Faye is our go-to for reliable and affordable coverage that protects us against delays, cancellations, baggage loss, evacuations, theft, and emergency medical care (which would cost a fortune if paying out-of-pocket for international treatment. It’s one of the most affordable parts of your trip and completely worth it for peace of mind. Faye is a 100% digital provider so reimbursements are handled quickly through their mobile app!

Get a quote in less than 60 seconds with Faye

7. Windproof Travel Umbrella

Canada has a whopping eight different climates with steady rain throughout the year. The weather can make drastic changes throughout each day, too. Instead of lugging around a large umbrella, opt for this windproof travel umbrella. It expands to full size and collapses into a small carrying case that fits into a tote, purse, or daypack.

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8. Filtered Water Bottle

The water supply is generally safe in Canada, but I simply prefer to have autonomy over my water supply by keeping this filtered water bottle in my carry-on bag. Empty it before going through security, and then you can refill it regularly for hygienic water (even if it’s straight from the tap!) The flavor will noticeably improve, and you’ll stay hydrated during busy days of exploring.

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9. TSA-Approved Luggage Locks

Luggage locks keep your belongings secure as your suitcases venture through airport security and baggage claim conveyor belts. You can create a custom lock code and place the lock on the suitcase zipper to make sure it can’t open. Luggage locks will give you peace of mind leaving your luggage in hotel or airport storage when you travel.

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10. Hanging Toiletry Bag

If you’ve never tried a hanging toiletry bag, prepare to have your life changed forever! This epic discovery has changed the way we travel since all toiletries, skincare, haircare, makeup, towels, first-aid, and personal hygiene items can fit in one consolidated place.

This one by Eco Sun is our favorite since it’s ethically designed in Hawaii to give back to underserved communities. Built by travelers, for travelers – they’ve really thought of everything with 7+ pockets, elastic bands to hold your bottles or brushes in place, internal and external storage for easy access, and a lightweight design. You can hang it anywhere instead of creating a chaotic bathroom, and it’s so nice to see everything at eye-level.

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11. Wool Socks

Wool socks are your best friend in a colder and damper location like this. They are snug, comfortable and naturally wick moisture away. It’s also one of the more breathable fabrics, so it will feel better in the long-run to prevent soggy toes or overheating.

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12. Luggage Straps

Adjustable luggage straps will reinforce your bags to prevent any damage on the rough journey ahead. Since about 25-million bags are damaged or lost each year – we take every safeguard and precaution that we can. These fit to nearly any-sized bag and take the pressure off of your zippers so nothing busts open during the rough baggage handling.

The bright colors make them easy to spot at baggage claim and the built-in ID tag is a nice touch in case anything goes temporarily missing. Overall, they make for a safer and more identifiable baggage process, which can be a huge time saver in a sea of black bags.

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13. Packing Cubes

This 5-piece set of packing cubes makes organizing your luggage easy. You can fold or roll your clothes into each cube and pack them into your suitcase, leaving room on all sides for your shoes. The cubes each come in different sizes, so you can fit everything from thick sweaters to t-shirts in each zip-up cube. We love the labels to keep track of pants, shirts, socks, essentials, etc. and the 2 bonus laundry bags are a dream! Opt for the 3-piece set if you’re scared of commitment and work your way up to the 5-piece set for longer trips.

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14. Hand & Foot Warmers

These little gems are one of my favorite hacks! They stay warm for up to 10 hours and radiate heat to insulate you from the inside-out. Simply shake the packet once it’s exposed to air for oxidation and slip them in your socks/shoes, gloves, or jacket pockets for an evening on the town. In the brisk winters and autumns of Canada, they make all the difference between being miserable and super cozy!

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15. Jet Lag Relief

If you’re traveling between time zones to get to Canada, having jet lag can take away days of your trip while you adjust to the time changes. To help your body get used to the new rhythm, you can take jet lag relief pills when you take off and land in Canada. These plant-based pills help you reset and ultimately save you time to enjoy more of your trip.

View on Amazon.com

What’s the electricity and power supply like in Canada?

Canada has a reliable power grid. Blackouts and power outages are uncommon, and in the rare case they happen, it’s usually due to extreme weather. Parts of northern Canada are remote, such as the Northwest Territories and Yellowknife.

Even in these areas, Canada has a solid infrastructure to power the country using renewable energy sources. Canada is one of the biggest producers of hydroelectricity in the world.

Do I Need a Voltage Converter for Canada?

American travelers will not need a voltage converter to visit Canada. The U.S. and Canada both have a standard voltage of 120 V. This is also standard throughout North, Central, and parts of South America.

You can always check the product tag or engravings on your electronics if you’re not sure what the voltage maximum is on your large products like hair dryers and curling irons.

Other FAQs about traveling in Canada

1. When is the best time to travel to Canada?

Canada has outdoor activities and local events year-round. If you’re looking for a cold-weather getaway, Canada offers skiing and ice skating throughout the winter. From May to August, summer in the big cities is lively. You can catch a Toronto Blue Jays MLB game at Rogers Centre or take tours of landmarks like the CN Tower and the historic Casa Loma castle. The warm summers are also one of the best times of the year to visit Canada’s national parks and lakes.

Colorful trees line the mountains and lakes of the Canadian Rocky Mountains from October to November. The cool weather and tree shades from red to yellow leaves make fall a great time to visit. In Spring, Canada’s plant life sprouts up with the rain, bringing cherry blossoms to west coast cities like Vancouver.

2. What is the weather like in Canada?

Canada is a huge country with eight different climates spanning it. Each region has four distinct seasons. Winter is cold and snowy across Canada. The farther north you are in Canada, the more frigid the winter. Summers are warm and sunny, and the hottest months are July and August. It rains regularly this time of year and reaches 85 degrees Fahrenheit in regions like Ontario and Quebec.

Fall weather moves from pleasant temperatures in September to cold weather by the end of the season. Spring can be unpredictable, alternating between cold, rainy days and warm weather later in the season.

3. What is there to do in Canada?

Whether you enjoy sightseeing in the city or a serene getaway in nature, you’ll find it all in Canada. Outdoor enthusiasts have more than 40 national parks to choose from, with dozens of hiking trails and seasonal mountain sports from biking to skiing. If you’re visiting during the warm spring and summer months, you’ll enjoy seeing lakes at Banff National Park, swimming in Lake Ontario, or visiting the world-renowned Niagara Falls.

Around Canada’s east and west coastlines, seeing glaciers and whales from lookout points is a one-of-a-kind experience. Some of Canada’s major cities are Toronto, Vancouver, Calgary, and French-speaking Montreal. Each one has a bustling nightlife and diverse local culture worth exploring.

4. What language is spoken in Canada?

The official languages in Canada are French and English. English is spoken everywhere, so you won’t have trouble getting around the country if you don’t speak French. You’ll hear the most French spoken among locals in the Quebec region.

5. What transportation to use in Canada?

Canada has an efficient public transportation system connecting its cities and suburbs. You can choose from trains, buses, and getting around on foot in most places. There are also plenty of ride-sharing and taxi options.

In the more remote outskirts of Canada, transportation options are limited. Some towns may have a bus system. Otherwise, you should plan to rent a car for more isolated regions of the country.

US to Canada Power Adapter: What Plug Do I Need? (2025)

Table of contents

Which power outlets do they use in Canada?

What kind of power adapter do I need for Canada?